Ellen DeGeneres

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2012 Mark Twain: Scenes from the Red Carpet

Biography

Beloved television icon and entertainment pioneer, Ellen DeGeneres' distinctive comic voice has resonated with audiences from her first stand-up comedy appearances through her work today on television, in film and in the literary world.

Ellen DeGeneres has made a home for herself in the daytime arena with her hit syndicated talk show, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." The show entered its ninth season on September 12, fresh off winning the Daytime Emmy for "Outstanding Talk Show." During its eight seasons, the show has earned a total of 35 Daytime Emmy Awards. Additionally, DeGeneres has won 12 People's Choice Awards and most recently, the Teen Choice Award for "Choice Comedian" for a third consecutive year. Additionally, the show has won two Genesis Award and a GLAAD Media Award for "Outstanding Talk Show Episode."

DeGeneres has been included in Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women and was also included in Entertainment Weekly's 50 Most Powerful Entertainers. She was honored with Television Week's Syndication Personality of the Year and has been included in Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People.

DeGeneres had the honor of hosting the highly rated 79th Annual Academy Awards and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy(r) Award for "Outstanding Individual Performance In A Variety or Music Program." In addition to hosting the Oscars, DeGeneres has hosted the Primetime Emmy(r) Awards three times. Her performance hosting the 2001 awards show garnered her rave reviews for providing a perfect balance of wit with heartfelt emotion to the post-September 11th telecast audience. DeGeneres served as host for an array of industry events including the 38th and 39th Annual Grammy(r) Awards, for which she earned an Emmy(r) nomination.

DeGeneres also received critical success for her HBO stand-up specials. "The Beginning" received two Emmy nominations in 2001 and the special entitled "Here and Now" was also nominated for two Emmys in 2003.

DeGeneres, an accomplished best-selling author released her third book on October 4th titled, Seriously…I'm Kidding, which includes a compilation of photos, quotes and stories from her life. DeGeneres' second book, The Funny Thing Is…., comprised of the author's comedic short stories and essays hit the New York Times' bestseller list upon its release. In 2005, DeGeneres was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for the audio version of the book. Her first book, My Point…And I Do Have One, published in 1995, debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list.

Both on and off screen, DeGeneres' humanitarian efforts take center stage. This past year, DeGeneres brought awareness to the anti-bullying issue by creating a PSA titled "Be Kind." DeGeneres and the show partnered up with the Trevor Project and the Pacer Center to raise money and awareness for the cause. In addition, DeGeneres showed her support for her hometown of New Orleans, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Her efforts have resulted in "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" raising over 10 million dollars to improve the lives of New Orleans residents.

DeGeneres also continues to share her love of animals and has brought attention to the Gentle Barn, an organization that rescues and rehabilitates animals. Overall, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" has raised over 50 million dollars and brought attention to various causes, including global warming and breast cancer awareness. Additionally, DeGeneres served as spokesperson for General Mills' breast cancer awareness initiative, Pink for the Cure, and hosted special episodes of her show to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

DeGeneres' career began as an emcee at a local comedy club in her hometown of New Orleans, which led to national recognition in 1982 when her videotaped club performances won Showtime's "Funniest Person In America" honor. When DeGeneres moved to Los Angeles she filmed her first HBO Special, "Young Comedians Reunion," then in 1986 "Women of the Night." That same year, DeGeneres became the first female comedian to be summoned by Johnny Carson to sit down with him after her performance.

DeGeneres began her acting career in television on Fox's sitcom, "Open House." She moved on to ABC's "Laurie Hill," prior to being offered a part on "These Friends of Mine" by ABC. After the first season, the show was renamed "Ellen." Running from 1994 to 1998, the show garnered record ratings, with DeGeneres receiving Emmy(r) nominations each season in the Best Actress category. In 1997, DeGeneres was the recipient of the coveted Peabody Award as well as earning an Emmy(r) for writing the critically acclaimed "Puppy Episode" when her character came out as a gay woman to a record 46 million viewers. DeGeneres followed with the CBS sitcom, "The Ellen Show," which ran from 2001 to 2002.

In the course of producing and starring in "Ellen," DeGeneres received numerous accolades including The People's Choice Award in 1995, two Golden Globe nominations and two Screen Actors Guild nominations. Other television credits include Executive Producing and starring with Sharon Stone in the Emmy(r) nominated "If These Walls Could Talk II" for HBO as well as a guest appearance on the "Larry Sanders Show," for which she received another Emmy(r) nomination.

DeGeneres has also been successful in her feature film work. DeGeneres scored unprecedented popular and critical response to her character, Dory, the fish with extreme short-term memory, in the blockbuster animated feature film, "Finding Nemo." DeGeneres' feature film credits include "EDTV" for director Ron Howard, "Mr. Wrong," "The Love Letter" for Dreamworks, New Regency's "Goodbye Lover," and "Coneheads."

DeGeneres also served as the fourth judge on "American Idol" during its ninth season. The judging panel included, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi.

In May 2010, DeGeneres announced eleveneleven, a record label created in partnership with Telepictures, which finds new acts and platforms them on the talk show with the first release of 12- year-old Internet singing sensation, Greyson Chance. DeGeneres has become a sought after spokesperson who's been featured in highly successful and popular campaigns including American Express, CoverGirl and JC Penney.